Former policeman, four persons detained for theft, robbery

Chisinau, 8 August /MOLDPRES/- A former policeman and four members of a criminal group were detained for theft and robbery committed throughout the country. Prosecutor Denis Rotaru made the statement today.

Suspects are between the ages of 22 and 35 and are born in the southern and central areas of the country. They have committed similar crimes in the Russian Federation, and one of the suspects has served his sentence in this country. At the same time, seven other members of the group are currently out of the country and will be announced in international search.

Rotaru noted that law enforcers had identified 17 cases of offenses, resulting in a loss of about two million lei.

“Suspects broke safes and payment terminals in just 60 seconds, and former lawman helped them remove traces of crime. The crimes were committed in Straseni, Ialoveni, Anenii Noi, Balti, Calarasi, Edinet and Glodeni. They also stole money and jewelry,” Rotaru said.

For his part, Igor Zglavuță, head of the National Investigation Inspectorate's office, said the group was detained in flagrant on 24 July. "We decided to make arrest, as the suspects intended to go to one of the EU countries to commit a crime. In this case, 36 searches were conducted, including at homes. In the raids financial means in national and foreign currency, jewelery, a metal scrapping machine, gloves, sports equipment, wooden sticks and a metal detector for searching for safes in walls or concealed places," Zglavuță said.

If found guilty, suspects risk 10- 15 years of imprisonment.

(Reporter A. Ciobanu, editor L. Alcază)